The aim of this work was to verify the occurrence of Aeromonas bacteria in samples of water (supply and residual) collected at beef slaughterhouse. Water used at the internal facilities, water from corrals, drinking water, water for pre-hygiene and tranquilization of the animals and residual water from carcasses’ wash, were analyzed. From those 30 samples of each type, Aeromonas bacteria were isolated in 10 (33.3%) samples of corral water and in 10 (33.3%) samples of residual water from carcasses’ wash. None of the facilities treated water supply samples showed positive in isolation. The isolated species were Aeromonas hydrophila in two (2.2%) and Aeromonas caviae in 19 (21.1%) of the samples. One non-typical strain was isolated from corral water. The results demonstrated that corral water may be an important contamination source, mainly to the hide and, through it, Aeromonas sp. can reach the slaughter room.
Aeromonas sp.; Aeromonas hydrophila; Aeromonas caviae; water slaughterhouse
